Memorandum or scrap file



(No Model.)

S. G. HIGGINS.

MEMORANDUM AND SCRAP FILE. No. 458,394. Patented Aug. 25, 1891.

ATTORNEY.

.ment, and may be used in this shape without SAMUEL G. HIGGINS, OF SAGINAIV, MICHIGAN.

MEMORANDUM OR SCRAP FILE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 458,394, dated August 25, 1891.

Application filed March 28, 1891.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SAMUEL G. HIGGINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Saginaw, in the county of Saginaw and State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Memorandum or Scrap File; and I do declare the following to be a ful1, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying d rawings,

and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to files in which to file papers, printed clippings, memoranda, &c., alphabetically or in other classified order, so that the same can be easily referred to or removed for use. This I accomplish in the file hereinafter described.

Figure 1 is a view of my file inclosed in book form, provided with alphabetical index orother classifying leaves or sheets. Fig. 2 is a view of my file, showing the back adj ustcovers. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the slotted ring. Fig. 4 shows a leaf or sheet with perforations required. Fig. 5 is a top view of the rings, showing the slot.

1 and 1 are the file-rings, and in them and in their application and the arrangement of them my invention consists. They are made of cylindrical wire or other substance bent circular, or nearly so. The points of approach of the two ends of the metal, instead of being square cut, as they may be, I prefer to cut diagonally at an angle of about forty-five degrees, so that when the ring is formed one point passes by the other, as a mechanic would place them if the ends were to be welded together, leaving a diagonal or angular slot or opening 1 in the ring, which otherwise is rigid and retains its circular form. The same result is obtained by cutting aslot through a solid ring or by casting or molding a ring with a slot in it. I form the slot 1 in one ring in an exactly opposite angle to the slot 1 in the other. The points at the slots should be rounded off to avoid their catching on the sheets, as will be explained hereinafter. The slots 1' 1 are of such width as to permit the sheets, hereinafter described,tobe slipped into the slots and then the rings passed through ,I have a file-book ready for use.

Serial No. 386,879. (No model.)

they will slip easily through the holes in the k sheets.

2 is the back or support of the rings 1 and 1. It may be made of wood, leather, or other material. I prefer to make it of wood and in the following manner: By means of aturninglathe I turn a piece of wood into the form of a cylinder of the same diameter as the outside diameter of the rings, and then I turn grooves 2 around the cylinder the same width and depth as the thickness of the wire composing the rings, so that the rings will fit closely in the grooves. The grooves should be made about one-third the length of the cylinder from each end thereof, so that the space between the grooves will be about the same as the space between the grooves and the ends of the cylinder. Then I saw olf from the sides of the cylinder lengthwise three pieces, the convex side of each piece being about one-third the circumference of the cylinder, and each piece so sawed off forms the back or support of a file, and is ready to have the rings slipped upon it and into the grooves 2, where they are held in place by staples or by another piece of wood or leather, or other substance, being glued or otherwise fastened over them. Thus the rings are held firmly in place, but are free to turn in the grooves. The same result may be obtained by fitting the rings into a support of leather or pasteboard or other substance pressed into shape. with the rings so fastened to it, may be used with or without the covers 3; but I prefer to attach to it covers like those of an ordinary book, the part next to the rings being flexible or else shaped to fit around the rings. By taking the rings and back 2 to, a book-bindery the covers 3 3 can be easily supplied, and Indexsheets 4: may be added, if desired, and any index, alphabetical orotherwise, maybe used. The index-sheets 4 have holes 4 in the mar- This back or support 2,

. papers.

gin, through which the rings are passed at the diagonal slots 1, thus attaching the indeX-sheets to the rings, and upon these indexsheets may be written references and cross references to the matter filed in the file. Supplemental sheets with holes in the margin are placed between the index-sheets and attached to the rings in the same manner as the indeX- sheets, and upon these supplemental sheets are written the memoranda or are pasted or fastened the slips, clippings, memoranda, letters, bills, invoices, and other When the file is full, the sheets can -be removed and bound or tied together and new sheets inserted upon the rings the same as the first.

Instead of the supplemental sheets, or in connection therewith, papers, memoranda, documents, letters, bills, &c., can be inserted upon the rings by cutting holes in the margin of the papers, as 4, so desired to be filed. If it is desired to put in an index-sheet or to file a supplemental-sheet containing memoranda, clippings, &c., or other paper, turn to the desired place and open the file.

It may be the rings 1 1 will be so turned that the slots 1 l'are covered by other sheets or memoranda. Take each ring in thumb and finger and turn it in the grooves 2' until the slots are in sight and in convenient position. Then take hold of the ends of theinde'x-sheet or supplemental sheet or paper and bend it to the angle of the slots in the rings and slip the holes of the sheet upon the rings. When thus placed upon the rings, the index-sheets and supplemental sheets or papers turn easily upon the rings, and the file may be opened or closedlike an ordinary book.

As stated heretofore, I prefer to have the slots 1 1' angular, for the reason that the sheets will not so readily come oif the rings. It is obvious that the rings 1 1 may be supported within the book in various ways, as by two or more staples to each ring, passingover the ring and through the back 2 therefor. I

do not wish to confine myself to any special form or construction of parts, and any change may be made that comes within ordinary mechanical skill without departing from the principles of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The rings 1 1,having the angular slots 1' 1, in combination with the back or support 2, provided with the grooves 2 2, in which the rings 1 l are held and turned, substantially as described. 7

2. The rings 1 and 1, having the slots 1 1, in combination with the back or support 2 and the covers 3 3, substantially as described.

3. The rings 1 and 1,having the slots 1' 1', in combination with the back or support 2, the covers 3 3, and the index-sheets 4, substautially as described.

4. The rings 1 and 1, having the slots 1 l, in combination with the back or support 2, the covers 3 3, the index-sheets 4, and supplemental sheets, substantially as described.

5. A file-book consisting of the rings 1 and 1, having angular slots 1 1', the back or support 2, having grooves 2 2',in which the rings 1 and 1 freely turn, the covers 3 3, and the index and supplement-a1 sheets, substantially as described.

6. In a file-book, the combination of the rings 1 1, having angular slots 1" 1', and the angular slots 1' 1, with the back or support 2, having grooves 2' and 2, in which the rings 1 1 freely turn,and the grooves 2 and 2', and

the covers 3 3, and the index-sheets 4, and

supplemental sheets, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL G. HIGGINS. Witnesses:

A. H. SWARTHOUT, S. E. SCHMALER. 

